Chapter Summaries

Tejima Shinichi accepted Sarutobi Hiruzen’s offer to become his disciple, and then revealed that he had naturally awakened Wood Release. Sarutobi Hiruzen was left stunned by the power his new disciple had shown.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen promised to stake his political capital on Tejima Shinichi and asked him to become his disciple.
• Tejima Shinichi accepted and addressed Sarutobi Hiruzen as his teacher.
• Tejima Shinichi said he would no longer hide some things from Sarutobi Hiruzen and formed two saplings from his palms with Chakra.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen recognized the saplings as Wood Release and was shocked that Tejima Shinichi had awakened it naturally.
• Tejima Shinichi made the saplings disappear and calmly identified the Wood Release as his power.

After discovering Tejima Shinichi had naturally awakened Wood Release, Sarutobi Hiruzen resolved to make him Hokage and gave him access to the Wood Release secrets in the Scroll of Seals. Shinichi left with the scroll and a new path toward mastering his power.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen learned that Tejima Shinichi had naturally awakened Wood Release and became convinced he was Konoha's future Hokage.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen promised to clear every obstacle from Tejima Shinichi's path and named him his sole true heir.
• Tejima Shinichi asked Sarutobi Hiruzen for the Wood Release Ninjutsu scroll so he could learn to control his power.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen escorted Tejima Shinichi to the Scroll of Seals Storage Vault and retrieved the Wood Release Ninjutsu scroll.
• Tejima Shinichi accepted the scroll, believing Wood Release would help him gain the strength and freedom to survive in the Ninja World.

Sarutobi Hiruzen announced that he had taken Tejima Shinichi as his disciple, presenting him as Konoha’s future heir. The news spread across the village, while Shimura Danzō resolved to destroy Shinichi and Shinichi remained intent on killing Danzō.

• Hiruzen brought Shinichi to the Hokage’s Office and explained that Team 1’s other members were resting after completing a C-rank mission.
• Hiruzen assigned the gathered teams their usual missions, then publicly declared Shinichi his disciple.
• The Genin and Jonin reacted with shock, while Second Pillar grew jealous of Shinichi’s rising accomplishments.
• News of Shinichi’s appointment spread through Konoha, astonishing his mother Mori Chie and his father Teshima Kazuto.
• The secret technique clan leaders and Hokage advisors discussed the political consequences of Shinichi’s rise.
• Danzō vowed to destroy Shinichi with the help of Root operatives still loyal to him.

Tejima Shinichi demonstrated the immense power of his newly awakened Wood Release, transforming the Forest of Death, while Yamato arrived to guide his training. Shinichi returned home and confirmed to his anxious parents that the Third Hokage had taken him as a disciple.

• Tejima Shinichi used Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence and reshaped the Forest of Death into a vast sea of trees.
• Yamato arrived, saw Shinichi's Wood Release, and agreed to share his experience as Shinichi's guiding teacher.
• Teshima Kazuto and Mori Chie waited anxiously at home for Shinichi to return.
• Tejima Shinichi confirmed to his parents that the Third Hokage had taken him as a disciple, and Teshima Kazuto questioned him about what had happened.

Tejima Shinichi revealed his Wood Release to his parents and explained why he had accepted the Third Hokage’s offer to become his disciple. At the Nara residence, Nara Shikaku asked Shikamaru to assess Shinichi, and Shikamaru began describing his exceptional calmness and strength.

• Tejima Shinichi reassured Mori Chie and Teshima Kazuto that becoming the Hokage’s disciple came with no strange requirements.
• Tejima Shinichi demonstrated Wood Release, and his parents understood why the Third Hokage valued him and offered him protection and resources.
• Mori Chie accepted that her son had his own path, while Teshima Kazuto celebrated Shinichi’s success and urged him to join the family for dinner.
• Shikamaru returned home after special training with Teacher Asuma, and Nara Shikaku invited him to play shogi.
• Nara Shikaku asked Shikamaru to assess Tejima Shinichi, and Shikamaru described Shinichi as exceptionally calm and overwhelmingly powerful.

Shikamaru and Shikaku discussed Tejima Shinichi’s strength and growing influence in Konoha, while Yamato announced Team 1 would begin special training for the Chunin Exam. The team accepted the challenge, with the exam only two and a half months away.

• Shikamaru described Tejima Shinichi as powerful, rational, and focused, and Shikaku warned that his rise could affect Konoha’s future.
• Shikaku told Shikamaru to pay close attention to Tejima Shinichi, whom he saw as a key figure in Konoha’s future.
• Kobayashi Ken and Sato Yu celebrated Tejima Shinichi becoming the Third Hokage’s disciple when they met him at Training Ground 3.
• Yamato announced that Team 1 would take fewer D-rank missions and undergo targeted special training to improve their strength.
• Yamato revealed that he wanted Team 1 to take part in the Chunin Exam in two and a half months, and all three Genin agreed to train for it.

Team 1 finished a D-rank mission and ran into Team 7 on the way back to the village, where the Genin compared their mission records. Naruto bragged about Team 7’s B-rank mission, and Tejima Shinichi mocked him as the teams parted ways.

• Yamato told Kobayashi Ken and Sato Yu they would resume special training at Training Ground 3 after lunch.
• Yamato and Team 1 encountered Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura in the village street.
• Kakashi recalled Yamato’s account of Tejima Shinichi defeating a Root Jonin and four Chunin, and considered Shinichi’s strength impressive.
• Naruto asked whether the Third Hokage had given Team 1 an exciting mission, and Shinichi replied that they had completed a D-rank mission.
• Kobayashi Ken mentioned Team 1’s two C-rank missions, prompting Sasuke to feel more confident about Team 7’s B-rank mission.
• Naruto bragged about completing the B-rank mission, and Shinichi sarcastically asked whether he should give Naruto an award.

Tejima Shinichi taught Naruto how to improve the Sexy Jutsu by targeting an opponent’s deepest feelings instead of relying on simple seduction. Kakashi and Yamato left after receiving an urgent message, while Second Pillar’s challenge remained unresolved.

• A Ninja Hawk arrived, and Kakashi and Yamato dismissed their teams before leaving to handle an urgent matter.
• Second Pillar challenged Tejima Shinichi to fight again and measure how their strengths had changed.
• Naruto interrupted with his Sexy Jutsu, but Shinichi dismissed the transformation with a smack and explained its weakness against strong-willed opponents.
• Shinichi transformed a Shadow Clone into Wedding Dress Sakura, leaving Naruto stunned and enraging the real Sakura.
• Shinichi explained that the improved Sexy Jutsu should exploit the opponent’s cherished person or desire to disrupt their focus in battle.

After Tejima Shinichi demonstrated his insight, Sasuke abandoned thoughts of challenging him and asked him to teach him how to become stronger. The chapter ended with Tejima Shinichi considering Sasuke’s earnest request.

• Sasuke realized how far Tejima Shinichi surpassed him and gave up on challenging him.
• Naruto asked Tejima Shinichi to use the jutsu again, and Sakura beat him for it.
• Tejima Shinichi told Kobayashi Ken and Sato Yu to rest, and they left together.
• Sakura invited Sasuke to practice, but he rejected her and followed Tejima Shinichi.
• Sasuke confronted Tejima Shinichi and bowed, begging him to teach him how to become stronger.

Tejima Shinichi agreed to guide Sasuke, then interrupted the discussion to stop Sunagakure ninja from bullying Konohamaru and his friends. After confronting Gaara, he returned to Sasuke, who followed him to continue their conversation.

• Tejima Shinichi agreed to train Sasuke, calling him a comrade and promising his guidance would help him grow stronger.
• Tejima Shinichi rushed to Konohamaru’s aid and restrained Kankuro and Temari for bullying children in Konoha.
• Gaara arrived and threatened Tejima Shinichi with killing intent, but Shinichi warned him to control his subordinates before releasing Kankuro and Temari.
• Gaara asked Tejima Shinichi’s name, then left with Kankuro and Temari without receiving an answer.
• Tejima Shinichi told Naruto, Sakura, and the children that Konoha had to stand up for its own, then resumed his discussion with Sasuke.
• Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi praised Tejima Shinichi and teased Naruto for being less reliable.

Tejima Shinichi explained that the Sand shinobi had come to Konoha for the upcoming joint Chunin Exam, which Sasuke hoped to enter and win. He then proposed that Sasuke grow stronger by improving his vitality and using Lightning Release to stimulate his body, leaving Sasuke asking how to begin.

• Second Pillar questioned why Sand shinobi had appeared at the training ground, and Tejima Shinichi explained that they were taking part in the joint Chunin Exam.
• Tejima Shinichi said the exam brought Genin teams from many villages to Konoha and Sunagakure, and Sasuke resolved to defeat anyone he faced.
• Tejima Shinichi told Sasuke that mastering two chakra nature transformations was a basic qualification for becoming a Jonin.
• Tejima Shinichi recommended that Sasuke improve his vitality and use Lightning Release to stimulate his nerves and muscles for greater speed and strength.
• Second Pillar asked Tejima Shinichi what he should do to begin.

Tejima Shinichi taught Second Pillar how to produce and control Lightning Release Chakra, healing his injuries as he practiced. After Second Pillar achieved a stable boost to his speed, Tejima warned that his weak Taijutsu and physical vitality made further stimulation dangerous.

• Tejima Shinichi explained Lightning Release nature transformation, and Second Pillar produced a brief spark that burned his fingertip.
• Tejima Shinichi healed Second Pillar with the Mystical Palm Technique and guided him through repeated attempts to control the electricity.
• Second Pillar stabilized Lightning Release Chakra around his feet and used it to move about twenty percent faster than usual.
• Second Pillar asked how to extend and sustain the stimulation, but Tejima Shinichi told him his body could not yet withstand more.
• Tejima Shinichi criticized Second Pillar's Taijutsu and warned that stronger stimulation could tear his muscles and damage his nerves unless he first built his physical vitality.

Tejima Shinichi explained that he was helping Sasuke prepare for his future responsibilities as Hokage and asked him to become one of his guards. Sasuke agreed to consider it after accomplishing his goal, and began training Taijutsu to prepare for the Chunin Exam.

• Sasuke thanked Tejima Shinichi for helping him and asked why he was doing it.
• Tejima Shinichi said he was preparing to shoulder Konoha's burden and hoped Sasuke would become one of his Hokage Guards.
• Sasuke agreed that serving as Tejima's guard was possible after he accomplished his goal, if Tejima helped him grow stronger.
• Tejima Shinichi teased Sasuke about Naruto taking his first kiss, making Sasuke angry and nauseated.
• Tejima Shinichi urged Sasuke to train his Taijutsu for the Chunin Exam and left the training ground.
• Sasuke focused on strengthening his body and repeatedly practiced punches and kicks against a tree.

Sarutobi Hiruzen announced that the Chunin Exam would begin in seven days and agreed to have Iruka test the newly graduated Genin before they could qualify. Yamato warned that Tejima Shinichi was already powerful enough to endanger Iruka, so Hiruzen exempted Shinichi and granted him direct qualification.

• Sarutobi Hiruzen told the Jonin instructors that the annual Chunin Exam would begin in seven days and asked them to recommend their subordinates.
• Yamato, Kakashi, Sarutobi Asuma, and Yugao recommended their teams, while Iruka objected that the rookies were too inexperienced.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen proposed that Iruka test the Genin, and Iruka agreed to oversee the tests.
• Yamato said Tejima Shinichi's strength was no less than his own and warned that testing him could put Iruka in danger.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen exempted Shinichi from the test and granted him qualification for the Chunin Exam, while the other Genin would be tested as usual.

Yamato’s team signed up for the Chunin Exam, and Yamato warned Tejima Shinichi that other contestants would target him. At the training ground, Neji revealed he had never made Shinichi fight seriously, prompting Rock Lee to vow to challenge him in the exam.

• Yamato presented the Chunin Exam forms and praised Kobayashi Ken and Sato Yu’s progress after months of training.
• Kobayashi Ken, Sato Yu, and Tejima Shinichi pressed their fingerprints onto the forms, agreeing to participate.
• Yamato warned Tejima Shinichi that his reputation as the Third Hokage’s disciple would make him a target, but Shinichi remained confident.
• Yamato watched his students leave and hoped the exam would establish Shinichi’s name apart from his Hokage connection.
• Tenten and Rock Lee learned that Tejima Shinichi would take the exam, and Neji admitted he had never made Shinichi fight seriously.
• Rock Lee vowed to challenge Tejima Shinichi, while Neji looked forward to seeing Shinichi’s current strength for himself.

At the Chunin Exam, Rock Lee challenged Tejima Shinichi to test his Taijutsu, while Sasuke and Neji began sizing each other up as rivals. Shinichi accepted Lee’s challenge and overwhelmed him in their opening exchange, leaving Lee injured on the ground.

• Tejima Shinichi arrived at the Ninja Academy with Kobayashi Ken and Sato Yu and encountered Team 7 and Team 3 in the corridor.
• Rock Lee confessed to Haruno Sakura, who rejected him because his eyebrows were too thick.
• Tejima Shinichi greeted Hyuga Neji, and Second Pillar and Neji exchanged names after recognizing each other as promising rivals.
• Rock Lee challenged Tejima Shinichi to a Taijutsu duel, and Shinichi accepted.
• Rock Lee attacked with Leaf Whirlwind, but Tejima Shinichi caught his ankle and slammed him into the ground three times.

Tejima Shinichi easily defeated Rock Lee, but Might Guy arrived and turned the loss into an emotional celebration of youth. The training ground was left stunned by Guy and Lee’s tearful embrace.

• Second Pillar reacted excitedly to Shinichi’s victory, while Naruto nearly revealed why before Sasuke stopped him.
• Shinichi defeated Rock Lee, and Neji recognized the enormous gap between them.
• Lee tried to remove his weights and continue fighting, but Might Guy arrived and advised him to learn from defeat and save his strength for protecting comrades.
• Shinichi fled the training ground and warned Kobayashi Ken and Sato Yu to follow, but they hesitated too long.
• Guy and Lee embraced, wept, and shouted about youth, leaving the onlookers speechless.

Tejima Shinichi entered the Chunin Exam waiting room and reunited with his Konoha peers and teammates. Yakushi Kabuto approached as a friendly senior, then warned them that the other examinees were watching their noisy group with hostility.

• Tejima Shinichi entered Classroom 301, where the Sunagakure trio and Yakushi Kabuto noticed him.
• Yamanaka Ino greeted Tejima Shinichi and brought him together with Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, and Aburame Shino.
• Kiba challenged Tejima Shinichi, but Ino defended him and reminded Kiba that he was the Hokage's disciple.
• Kobayashi Ken and Sato Yu joined Tejima Shinichi, followed by Team Guy and Team 7, gathering most of Konoha's rookies together.
• Yakushi Kabuto introduced himself to the Konoha group and pointed out that the other examinees were staring at them unfriendly.

Kabuto shared intelligence on the Chunin Exam candidates, while Sasuke asked about Hyuga Neji and Tejima Shinichi. As the first round began, Tejima secured his teammates’ promise to follow his lead through the test.

• Kabuto warned the Konoha Genin about drawing attention, then revealed that 156 candidates from six villages were taking the exam.
• Kabuto described Hyuga Neji’s strong record and assessed Tejima Shinichi as a mysterious, potentially formidable opponent.
• Morino Ibiki announced the start of the first round and instructed the candidates to submit their applications and take their numbered seats.
• Tejima received seat number forty-seven, with Kobayashi Ken and Sato Yu seated behind him.
• Tejima reminded Kobayashi Ken and Sato Yu to follow his decisions and not withdraw without his permission.

Morino Ibiki explained the first-round rules and administered a difficult written test that punished teams for detected cheating. At the forty-five-minute mark, he announced a high-stakes tenth question, and as examinees began withdrawing, Uzumaki Naruto stood up and slammed his palm on the desk.

• Morino Ibiki explained that teams shared scores and would lose points when their members were caught cheating.
• Tejima Shinichi completed the test and waited while examinees were disqualified for cheating.
• Morino Ibiki announced that examinees who answered the tenth question incorrectly would permanently lose the right to take the Chunin Exam.
• Inuzuka Kiba protested the rule, but Morino Ibiki said examinees could leave and return the following year.
• Kobayashi Ken and Sato Yu resisted giving up, remembering their agreement with Tejima Shinichi.
• Uzumaki Naruto stood and slammed his palm onto his desk as another team raised their hands to withdraw.